MEAN MISTREATER: Roaring Against the Flames
Raw, relentless, and razor-sharp—Mean Mistreater isn’t here to play it safe. With their upcoming album Do or Die, they’re delivering a high-octane mix of defiance, urgency, and unfiltered emotion. Frontwoman Janiece doesn’t just sing—she roars, channeling both fury and vulnerability into anthems that demand attention. In this interview, we dive into the meaning behind their name, the uncompromising energy of their songwriting, and why Do or Die is more than just an album title—it’s a statement of resistance, resilience, and the sheer joy of raising hell.
– Hi, first off thanks for answering to our questions. How’s everything doing in the lair of Mean Mistreater?
Hi! Thanks for reaching out for this interview! Everything is going great on our side. Excited about our upcoming album release and April Euro tour!
– «Mean Mistreater» is a name that instantly evokes a sense of aggression, but also a complexity. What does the name represent to you both musically and personally? Is there a specific story or feeling behind it, and how does it reflect the core of your music and your approach to life?
The name Mean Mistreater is an Ode to Grand Funk Railroad and Muddy Waters. Both artists used that name for song titles and since my vocal style over the years has been heavily influenced by their music I figured it was a good time to give the name a new platform in the heavy metal scene. It’s definitely reflective of the power in our music.
– «Do or Die» has a raw, stripped-back intensity to it, with its brevity packing a punch. What does the album represent for each of you personally? How does it reflect where you are as individuals, not just as a band?
Much like our last record, we write songs that we’d wanna listen to. Our intention in writing always reflects the power and purpose of keeping folks on their toes and stoked! All killer no filler! Most of the lyrics on this new album reflect our strong oppositions to tyrannical influence and “a call to arms” type theme to help remind folks of their power. We love touring and fast cars so we have a few songs about that too! Hahaha
– Given the concise nature of «Do or Die,» with eight songs in just 27 minutes, how do you approach songwriting to convey powerful messages within such a brief timeframe?
I feel I may have answered a little of this question a bit in the last prompt, but I can’t stress enough how much intent we write with. This album felt like a complete and realized version of who we are as a band and that was good enough for us! Hope everyone enjoys and wants to keep it on repeat to keep the party rollin!
– You’ve said that the upcoming album captures a sense of urgency and recklessness. Can you share how you balance the desire to express deep, personal emotions with the raw, aggressive energy of your music? How do you know when a song is «done» or ready to be shared?
A lot of the harder issues we are all facing right now in the USA make for some great writing material that’s for sure. A lot of folks are angry, hurt, and lost. As a woman I feel it necessary to use my platform as an artist to write songs to empower not only other women but anyone who isn’t ready to give up. We could all use some support and a good party when things look bleak!
– Heavy metal often gets categorized by its aggression, but there’s also a lot of vulnerability in your lyrics. What is your relationship with vulnerability, and how does it coexist with the strength and defiance your music exudes?
I think it takes a lot of strength to be vulnerable especially on such a large platform. Not every heavy metal album needs to be about fucking swords and satan but that’s cool too haha. I choose to express my defiance and opposition to the shitty state of the world since that’s what we’re forced to see every day. It’s exhausting keeping up with everything right now so I hope folks can turn up our album and sing along knowing they aren’t alone.
– In fact, the title of the upcoming album, «Do or Die,» suggests a high-stakes, no-turning-back mentality. How does this title reflect the themes explored in the album? Is it a statement about where you are in your journey as a band, or does it resonate more with personal battles, struggles, or societal pressures?
The overarching theme of this album is about taking back your power, fast cars, comradery, and rising like the proverbial Phoenix after everything gets burned to the ground.
– You’ve all been in the scene for a while, but as a collective, your bond seems to be growing. Can you share how your personal relationships with each other have shaped your music and the sound of «Do or Die»? What are some of the most meaningful moments you’ve experienced together as a band?
Yeah our band is only about two years old now, and we’ve had a few new members join since the start. This current lineup feels so natural. We’re best friends and have a blast always. We’ve had some hilarious and sketchy experiences on tour, but I think songwriting with these guys is just magic. We pushed out back-to-back records and that in itself has been a memorable journey. Hope to get started on the next one soon!
– When you reflect on your journey so far, what kind of impact do you want to have, both musically and personally, on those who follow your work? Do you see your music as a way to create change or simply as a reflection of your own journeys and struggles?
One of the best feelings in the world is looking out at an audience while onstage and seeing all those beautiful people. The amount of fans and musicians we get to meet and hang with on tour is a huge driving force for us. Those friendships don’t die easily and I hope all of those people know how much they mean to us! And despite the meaning of the lyrics in all our songs, I hope our music makes our fans wanna grab a bud, raise their fist, and bang those heads!
– That’s all from our side. Thanks again for answering to these questions. If you’d like to add some final words; it’s your turn.
Thanks to everyone who’s been supporting these last few albums and I hope to see y’all in your hometowns soon! Keep an eye out for our tours and keep rockin’!
